User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
richard ramirez

Date Reviewed: July 19, 2012

Strengths: overall Id say i had this bike forever about 12 years, Ibeat the crap out it an i gotta say it rides as sweet as the day i got it, its a sweet ride the only reason i didnt give it five chillis on value is because its old tech compared with the bikes now, with smoother brakes, rapid fire shifters, an super fast rims,but the color on this ride is sweet, easy to maintain good all round ride reponsive enough to really feel like a higher priced ride at a price that wont leave you broke for a month

Weaknesses: the components are kinda low end but they work fine what do you expect from a 400 dollar ride, the frame is the best part of this ride, the front shocks are not top end but sturdy enough to take some punishment an then some.

Bottom Line:

over all id say for a vintage ride this really is a nice bike, nothing compared to what you can get now but still a sweet ride.

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Submitted by
Jux Box
a Cross Country Rider
from germany

Date Reviewed: July 17, 2011

Bottom Line:

A verry good bike. I still have it since 1999 and i traveld with this bike in Chile, GB, France, Lithuania,...... I never had problems with it. It is simpel and simply the best.

Weaknesses: Original front rim broke after one month. Brakes and gears work but are not high end.

Bottom Line:

I've had this bike since 1999 and it's still going strong. Had to replace a front rim that exploded in the first month. The frame is so strong on this bike. I might just add new components and ride it forever. They don't make frames this nice any more, at least not on entry level bikes.

Strengths: super light very fast,it has a silky smooth motion when peddling,the gears work excellent,and the braking is great,top speed so far for me is 31 mph,(using GPS)the 24 speeds are great for that difficult uphill,and great for that downhill,overall a great bike.

Strengths: It's a trek, frame is guaranteed for life unless of course you ever decide to jump it, now who would do that~?

Weaknesses: All the components WILL eventually break on this beast of a machine. But hey you can replace most of the crap for cheap.

Bottom Line:

It has done everything i've asked from jumping in river on it drunk in high school, to a 70 mile death ride cross country, to doing some free ridin hittin dirt jumps and hucking some small rails and drops, to now being a single speed cruiser/trails bike to hop around on rocks with. Was a great bike, but now a santa cruz super eight is the love of my life. GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!! Get it if you have no money to spend on a bike. It'll do aight

Strengths: This frame is super strong. Great for jumping, droping, or whatever will get your heart a pumpin. THis bike has taken some serious abuse and shows no sings of wear.

Weaknesses: All the components had to go. I'm sure they would be fine for XCing, but I built this bike up for abuse.

Bottom Line:

Riding this bike is so much fun. If you want to put in the upgrades you can turn this into a super good freeride bike (for a hardtail). The best way to improve at freeriding is to do it on a hardtail, then everything will be effortless on a full suspension. Thats all

Strengths: The frame, handlebarr, crank, and i like the brakes...stops my big 280lbs self with no problems. great tires also

Weaknesses: wheels....i had to have them trued after every ride, the fork is so-so. for those who've ridden MTB with out shocks this is a little better.

Bottom Line:

bottom line is according to trek this is an entry level MTB, which to me has preformed pretty well. The OEM wheels are very weak, and the grip shift works OK. the frame is the best part of this bike. The reason i bought this particular model is that the fram is the same on the higher end TREK's. so add ur components at ur leisure.

Strengths: Very tough frame. I am using it as a downhill bike for moderate terrain (1'-2' drops), rocky roads, roots, etc. and it survived it all.

Weaknesses: The RST fork is a joke though it managed to keep my front wheel true so far. The rear rim bends really quickly once you start going real XC. Had to replace it with Sun Rhyno Lite. The original pedals won't withstand even moderate XC use. The breaks are pre-V brakes type. It does take some time to really stop the bike.

Bottom Line:

One of the best entry-level XC hardtails. It is light and tough. I am not even sure if they still make these bikes. I just wanted to a pay a tribute to my ol' two-wheelled friend who got me into the joy of XC and freeriding. The bike is indestructable. It squeaks but keeps goin'. Once you get down from the mountains, it works fine as a commuter bike too.

Strengths: Great look and color. The Sram 5.0 have never given me any trouble, except for possible ghost shifting after landing hard. Frame is solid and has taken a beating well

Weaknesses: The Weiman (?) rims were way to weak for me, even in my lighter weight days. Brakes squeak. RST shocks look like crap and and to squishy on landings. Saddle nose wore out fast (and just general geometry of the saddle felt like I was being sodomized by a rhino)

Bottom Line:

Unlike many mountain bikers, I am still reluctant to throw down $1,600.00 for a BIKE. I am honest and realize I will never race, or be sponsored. SO... for the money, this bike is wonderful. Plus with the low end components, I have had a lot of fun replacing them! Great bike, not only for beginners, but for the rider who has a mortgage and student loans, but still wants to muck around in the woods!!!!

Strengths: The frame is very sturdy. The shocks are very nice for going over ditches. Very smooth shifting between gears. The bike fits anyone over 5'3". Does not flex on a trails. Great bike for beginners. Fun for all ages.

Weaknesses: The seat. Wears down very quickly.

Bottom Line:

Great beginner bike. I love the bike. Very sturdy. For the value it is great. You cant find anything much better for the price. I would suggest that you should buy this bike.

a great bike for the money, many, many hours of fun trail riding without complaint except for the saddle. A begginer looking for a low priced entry level hardtail would be pleased with this trek. trek makes the best bikes. enough said.

Weaknesses: Shock is best described as mushy but it can worked with. The rear rim took a big hit and had to be touched up a bit. The shifting is getting a little difficult, it may be replaced this winter with a LX rear.

Bottom Line:

A good overall bike. Great for the price. I ride some pretty good trails and I don't have a problem keeping up with bikes 3X's the price. The brakes did squeal for awhile there, but they stopped after about 6 months (worn in?). I am not nice to this bike ( I'm over 200lbs. as well), I ride very hard and go on difficult trails (Razorback's Faceplant is a challenge)and this bike has held up fairly well over the last two years. This year it needs some TLC over the winter to make it a couple of more years. If you don't ride a lot or not very hard this bike will last you for quite a few years.

Bike Setup: Stock with bar ends. Oh yea, I cracked the original seat so it was replaced. (I'm not petite nor am I gentle to the bike)

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Havala Moyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Murfreesboro, TN USA

Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001

Strengths: Great Frame!! Cool Color!! Very fast if you put on proper tires. Rides wonderful and smooth on and off road.

Weaknesses: Horrible assembly done by the shop!! They put on the wrong brake pads on, which made the bike's front brakes squeal. If you want it done right, change the PADS or get new brakes!!!! Also, the front forks and shocks stiffened up after the first six months of use and are too heavy. Brakes: Awful. Derailers: Adeqauate. Tires: Too fat for me, but very durable. Handle bars: needs improvement. Gear Shifts: Ok, but they are not fast enough when you want to climb.

Bottom Line:

This bike is a very good bike!! If you are a rider that loves to go on and off road this bike is adaptable. It is a good beginner bike for the money. The frame is awsome!! Strong, smooth, and fast. However, you might want to consider upgrading the componets on this bike to make it lighter and fast.

Overall, Great bike for the money. Save some dough and invest in good componets and this bike has a lot of potential.

Good budget bike. Good value. Stong and sturdy.The fork is not the best. Adds unnecessary weight to bike, first thing to upgrade.I have ridden this bike ragged and can still take more. The frame is almost industructable! (rims too)Value for money. Worth considering saving a bit more money and go for the KONA Fire Mountain.